Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the throttle body warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle later failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the A/C system and defrost system were malfunctioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the three actuator motors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced and a tune-up needed to be performed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who performed the tune-up and replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 13V552000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine seized. The low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact checked all the vehicle fluids and stated that fluid levels were adequate. The contact was driving on the highway when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road by using physical strength. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start later the same day. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V552000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 5 minutes. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the coolant temperature sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V552000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to adjust the driver's and passenger's side mirrors however, the mirrors failed to adjust. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be inspected and was informed that the power switch needed to be replaced. Shortly after the failure, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,536.
The contact's cousin owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who drained the fuel system; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 13V552000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 139,317.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving, a loud knocking sound was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was eventually towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine shaft bearings had failed and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V552000 (Engine). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
The contact's niece owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer; Phillips Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (3440 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34471; [phone]) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 13V552000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power and eventually stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,625.
Related recalls
Engine
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Engine complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 126 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 23% of the model year's 548 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Avenger engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-552 (engine, Nov 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Avenger engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.